Post Commentary: Diminishing Post Players
What a shame, today, we can only count one or two quality post players in the game once dominate by big-men. What I mean by a quality post player, is a player who can make his own move in the paint; 10-15 foot jumpers, turnaround and fade-away don't count as qualify moves. Also, post players on the receiving end of an assist or periodically scores off an offensive rebound don't count as quality center.
More and more, it seems like centers are no longer made, but born. A close look at post players in the last 10 to 15 years reveals a rather disturbing trend. All great centers in the NBA were All-American coming out of college. However, even these elite posts have not developed any new skills since coming to the league. They have continued playing like they did in college, the only noticeable changes being they have gotten stronger and older.
What happens to average or project post players coming into the League? They become role players or simply take up space at the end of the bench. When you look at every team roster from the YMCA to the NBA, you will notice at least four very capable players on the bench that only play when their team is ahead or down by 30 points.
Over the years less than 1.7% of these so-called "project post players" make any significant impact in their respective teams. With the diminishing role of post players in today's game, many big-men have been reduced to roadblocks, speed bumps, rebounders, and foul dispensers. My research has revealed the following attributes as contributors to the current mediocre trend:
- Too much emphasis on natural and physical ability (bigger and stronger is better).
- Poor coaching at all levels of competition (outside inside approach).
- No role models to fashion game after (jump shooters and perimeter players).
- Lack of understanding of what it takes to succeed with practice (bulk up and you will be ok).
- Acceptance of mediocrity in a very poor pool of post players (everybody is bad, thus bad is good).
- Diminishing fundamental skills across the board (lack scoring options in the paint).
- Post players rely too much on teammates (way too many pick-and-roll offense).
- Dependency on ineffective turnarounds, fade-away jumpers (no functioning hook shot).
All teams have average post players whom they hope would eventually become contributors in the near future under the guidance of their current coaches. I have good and bad news on this wishful thoughts. A post player can shoot, cut, fake, and do everything that his or her coach asks for. However, if the coach does not understand post offense especially the scoring options in the paint, I can guarantee, the player will continue jerking up ill-faded fade-away and turnaround jumpers. This retardation will continue because of lack of knowledge on post offense. Across the board, even the few post players who have had success in the post don't seem to be able to pass their wisdom to the upcoming players.
I have observed post players who have attended elite post camps, and worked under supposely great coaches, however, we have not seen that transformation yet. We are yet to see the up-and-under, the sky hook shot, the pivot scoring options even thought there are people out there who are supposely coaching the skills. The main reason why the transformation has not happened is because post players are being coached like small forwards (attack the basket from outside-in). This year's final did not have a dominant post player who can consistently make his own move off a clear out play. If you watched the series, you may have noticed the following deficiencies in the game:
- Backdown Post offense: The main draw back here is the offensive player has no room to operate because the defense player gets up close.
- Shooting in the same direction as the dribble: When the offensive player shoots in the same direction as the dribbling, the offensive player is forced to overcompensate (jump higher or fade-away) because of pressure from the defensive player. This reduces the shot accuracy.
- Opportunist Scores: Scoring only when they get an assist from other players or rebound the ball under the basket. Chance scores will not win games or cause the defensive player to focus more on them.
- Lack of footwork takes away scoring opportunities: I have observed post players shooting the basketball on the same side even when the defensive player overplays the dribble. A simple pivot in the opposite direction would result in an open, easier shot.
- Poor Post Up Position: Posting up with back to the basket is a poor post up position because it allows the defensive player to gang up on the offensive player leaving very little room for operation.
- Most common move is the Drop Step: This move is only effective when used with a pivot and fake combination because a player goes through more than 90 degrees turn.
- Emphasis on natural ability: Since players in the NBA have almost equal natural abilities, this forces the offensive players to over-exerting themselves, thus sacrificing accuracy.
The good news is I have uncovered what it takes to remedy this negative trend. Coaches need to approach post offense from inside-out. Post players need to learn how to put the basketball in the basket first (scoring options) before they can be taught post offense moves. Remember, post moves are nothing more than vehicles that propel the post player into an ideal position where he can use the scoring options.
If your post offense coach is not teaching the scoring options, footwork and coordination, and helping players develop a hook shot, there is a very good chance that they will continue taking up valuable salary space.
As a critical fan, I have tried to watch the NBA games, however, I find myself TOVing the games and fast forwarding through them later. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a 7-foot being guarded by a shorter player, and struggling with 10-15 foot jumpers or getting a basketball in the paint and passing it out. I miss those days when post players were actually apart of the offense.
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